The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office arrested on Friday one Pendergrass man and one Pendergrass woman on various drug-related charges.
ARDEO and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a home on 1680 Mountain Creek Drive, which was part of a six-month investigation.
Authorities arrested Steven Chad Pearson, 39, who faces a multitude of charges. They are: distribution of heroin, trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute schedule 3 and schedule 4 pills, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and reckless conduct.
Angela Nichole Patrick, 37, was also arrested and faces similar charges. She is charged with: trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute schedule 3 and schedule 4 pills, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and reckless conduct.
According to ARDEO agent Trent Hillsman, his office and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office had received multiple complaints about Pearson. Pearson and Patrick did not possess enough drugs to qualify for drug trafficking charges. ARDEO and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office will continue to investigate where they purchased the drugs from.
"We want to get the dealers, but we want to tie in to where they're getting their supply from with the numerous deaths and overdoses we're having with fentanyl and heroin," Hillsman said. "Now, obviously, once we make an arrest in a case it still never ends. We're always trying to find the next supplier."
Pearson and Patrick are booked into the Jackson County Jail. This investigation is ongoing, and ARDEO and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office are asking for the public's assistance in this case. If you have any information on a drug-trafficking individual, you can contact ARDEO at 706-348-7410 or your local sheriff's office.
